Tom Hardy's drastic physical transformations for film roles have 'damaged' his body.

The Dark Knight Rises star, 39, beefed up considerably to play Bane in the Batman film and MMA fight Tommy Conlon in Warrior, and he fears for his health if he takes on a similar project now he's on the verge of turning 40.

His next project Fonzo, in which he plays a 47-year-old Al Capone, will once again see him alter his appearance, however, he claimed it wouldn't be as drastic as his muscular roles.

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Aches and pains: Tom Hardy's drastic physical transformations for film roles have 'damaged' his body

He told the Daily Beast: 'It's not the classic Al Capone that you necessarily envision with the silhouette. I don't want to give too much away about it, but there's definitely a transformation with that role.

The hunt for a new Bond began last year when Daniel Craig, 48, admitted that he was 'over it' after being cast in the role since Casino Royale in 2006.

'... I'd rather break this glass and slash my wrists,' he told TimeOut when asked whether he would do another Bond film. 'No, not at the moment. Not at all. That's fine. I'm over it at the moment. We're done. All I want to do is move on.'

Since the speculation began the likes of James Norton, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba and even retired footballer David Beckham have been mentioned as possible replacements.

Moving on: The hunt for a new Bond began last year when Daniel Craig, 48, admitted that he was 'over it' after being cast in the role since Casino Royale in 2006

Bond boys? Since the speculation began, James Norton, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba (pictured with Tom) and even David Beckham have been mentioned as possible replacements

Meanwhile, Tom has been achieving praise for his current role in gritty BBC/FX series, Taboo.

Co-starring Jonathan Pryce and Oona Chaplin, the series is set in 1814, when Tom's adventurer hero Delaney returns from Africa to London to inherit what's left of his dead father's shipping empire.

He is then caught up in a tale of conspiracy, murder and betrayal reaching right across the globe.

Striking: Tom has been achieving praise for his current role in gritty BBC/FX series, Taboo. The series is set in 1814, when Tom's adventurer hero Delaney returns from Africa to London